Despite an uneventful Christmas period, the New Year saw sales in UK retail rise by 2.6%, surpassing the figure in January last year, the British Retail Consortium reports. Sales were up by 3.3% compared to the 1.6% increase in January 2015, which is the best growth since September and pushing ahead of the 3-month average of 1.6% and... Read More
Plans for a major new mixed-use development have been submitted by Birmingham Grand Central shopping centre’s new owner, Hammerson, in neighbouring area Sandwell, which is set to bring millions of pounds of investment and create hundreds of jobs. The now vacant site was once home to Hunt Brothers Griffin Foundry, until it was... Read More
Despite business confidence in China on a substantial slowdown, West SMEs who seek connections with Chinese markets are being urged to persevere by West China bureau. The newly appointed Director of Market Insights at the West of England China Bureau, Peter Read, doesn't see the current growth issue to be severe for long-term business... Read More
In an official letter to the Treasury, the Government’s reforming plans of business rates’ appeals have been criticised by Colliers International for the more confrontational, litigious and costly system it will create. It’s believed the government are analysing feedback from a two-month consultation regarding the rates’... Read More
Following a period of activity in 2015, the growth in rental values will see commercial property returns in 2016 increase, says leading real estate management specialist Blue Marble Asset Management. Chief Executive of Blue Marble Asset Management, Tim Matthews, said that the main focus for serious commercial investors will be rental... Read More
With a fairly stagnant investment flow in the summer last year due to the volatility of the Chinese financial market, Chinese investors returned to London in Q4 2015 with a total of £900 million within the capital and £1.4 billion outside it. This interest looks as if it is set to continue into 2016 reports CBRE. So far this year,... Read More
According to a survey by CBI, the UK economy saw its slowest rate of growth since May 2013 in the three months to January. The survey, which comprises manufacturers, retailers and the services sector, revealed a balance of 6% reporting increased business. CBI's Director of Economics, Ms Rain Newton-Smith, said the economy has had... Read More
The latest Prime Rents and Yields Monitor from CBRE shows that prime Central London shops saw rents increase by 9.0% in the fourth quarter, which is the fastest growth in the sector since 1988. Throughout the whole of 2015, rents in the capital's central area saw a rise by 18%, with CBRE monitoring around a third of retail locations... Read More
New changes to the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are making some investors explore whether commercial property investment is becoming a viable alternative to residential buy to let. According to the Office for National Statistics, residential property prices increased from the 7% in the year up to October to 7.7% in the 12 months to... Read More
GVA, acting on behalf of Reflections Ltd, a Ubisoft Studio, has secured a lease of 2 floors within Partnership House, Regent Centre, Gosforth that totals 30,000 sq ft. The major video game firm, famous for the Tom Clancy's and Assassins Creed series, is expanding its UK presence with the occupation of the 3rd and 5th floors, which... Read More
Investment opportunities still remain strong across all sectors and UK commercial property is seen as a "safe haven" for investors despite rise in macro concerns, according to RICS' Commercial Property Survey for Q4 2015. It reveals that businesses across the UK are thriving and employment data is strong, which in turn has led to the... Read More
Hammerson has recently announced its acquisition of the new Grand Central shopping centre in Birmingham for £335 million, with contracts officially exchanged with Birmingham City Council. Advanced discussions with an existing joint venture partner on other assets are also taking place regarding a 50:50 joint venture for the future... Read More
The UK office market in 2015 saw strong performance and is set to follow into 2016, according to reports. In 2015, there was a substantial demand in the British office market, mainly the sub markets such as London, Bristol, Manchester and Liverpool. Prime office in the core sub markets was forecast to continue into 2016, with only... Read More
A recent report commissioned by the British Property Federation (BPF) has revealed that commercial real estate is worth £1,662bn and represents 20.6% of the total net wealth in the UK. In 2014, commercial real estate contributed £94.2bn to the UK's GDP and on average employed 2.1 million people between 2002 and 2014 thanks to the... Read More
New research from Savills has revealed that corporate occupiers in Greater London and South East move 6.9 miles on average when they relocate, with the common distance being 0.5 miles. Since 2010, every Grade A relocation over 20,000 sq ft has been analysed by the real estate advisor and it concluded that the biggest drive for... Read More
A new hard-hitting report has been proposed which introduces a radical new model that will inevitably help get investment back into Britain's high streets. The Town Centre Investment Zones report was launched by a collection of property industry experts, Peter Brett Associates with Bond Dickinson and Citi Centric. It demonstrated how... Read More
According to the latest EEF/Aldermore Executive Survey, UK manufacturers are envisioning 2016 to be full of tough decisions and prominent risks due to ongoing economic hangover from 2015, while confidence slips in the industry itself within the UK. The survey showed a low amount of confidence from UK manufacturers towards... Read More
The Uncertain Future of High Street Retail High Street stores have always been there when we need them. If you ever need a DVD, video game, greeting card or item of clothing, you could guarantee a successful acquisition when you visit a shop in your local town. However, as decades passed, and technology introduced us to the world of... Read More
According to a Barclays Blue Rewards survey, over 60% of Brits take less than a second to make a decision regarding the acceptance of a deal, costing them an average of £520 a year. On average, Brits are offered 14 deals per week, with 40% going for the cash back or money over vouchers and 2-for-1 deal, while 10 percent admitted to... Read More
With the ever increasing prices and a crunch in yields, London has missed out on being in the top 10 list for best cities in Europe for investment prospects for the first time in four years, coming in 15th place, according to reports by PwC and the Urban Land Institute. The Emerging Trends in Real Estate report gives good guides into... Read More
The sale of Birmingham's Exchange Buildings has now officially been concluded by Aviva investors, in a deal that observers have suggested is worth £40 million. Reflecting a net initial yield of 4.5%, the deal was done on behalf of Aviva life and Pension and the yield is understood to be one of the keenest paid for a retail asset in... Read More
With help from the highest rental value growth since 2008, the total return on investment from the UK commercial property sector at the end of 2015 was strong, reaching 14% along with December delivering returns of 1.1%, CBRE's latest Monthly Index reveals. In 2015, it reports that all property rental values overall grew by 4%, which... Read More
